Random Ramblings from the Vault...

• Why did it take so long for Trick 'r Treat to come out--and why only direct-to-video? The flick is better than 99.9% of the horror out there.

• And while I'm at it, Dylan Baker deserves more fame and recognition. The guy is fantastic.

• Freddy vs. Jason is a tremendously fun movie that reminds me of the old school Universal monster mash-ups. Not scary at all, just good fun. The people who complain about it are the kind of people who tell little kids there's no Santa Claus.

• Did you know that the bizarre Henry James quote at the end of House by the Cemetery was completely made up by Lucio Fulci? I love him more then ever.

• Am I the only one who was freaked out that on The Real Ghostbusters, Egon had a giant platinum blond pompadour? So un-Egon-like.

• Borders is a dangerous place for me to be in October. Horror DVDs for $8.99 apiece. Giant anthologies for 50% off. Ugh.

• Just because you have a camera, some makeup from Wal-Mart, and 20 friends who are willing to be zombies, that doesn't mean you should make a zombie movie. Just saying.

• Smartest thing the makers of Paranormal Activity did to encourage suspension of disbelief: Leaving out opening and closing credits. Take that, Blair Witch Project!

• If you've never done so before, I can't encourage you strongly enough to pay a visit to the excellent Love Train for the Tenebrous Empire. Tenebrous Kate is a fountain of insight on the lurid and wonderful worlds of exploitation and horror. She also has a bizarre fascination with nuns, and can knock back pints at astonishing speed.

• It is an absolute crime that in the year 2009, the 1944 haunted house classic The Uninvited has yet to be released on DVD.

• And finally on a personal note, if you're looking out for my review of Paranormal Activity, and the results of the Cyber-Horror Elite literature poll, just sit tight. I plan on getting to both during the week. Try to muddle through till then, kids!